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How to Pick a Crib That’s Right for You and Your Babe

by Babyletto BearMarch 05, 2019

Thinking about all the things you need to get for your baby can be quite overwhelming - especially when it comes to your babe's first room! But designing a nursery can be an exciting way to create a stylish, personal space for your babe to grow in. From choosing what unique print to hang on the wall to where each piece of furniture is placed, creating a space where you and your little one will love can be so much fun!

As the centerpiece of any nursery, finding the perfect crib is an important first decision to make. Taking into consideration everything from style to safety, we've laid out a crib guide to help make that process as simple as possible.

Size

One of the main differences between nurseries is their size and shape. Depending on whether you're creating a small space nursery or a full bedroom, there are options to match your space.

Mini Crib:

Perfect for small space nurseries and to keep at grandma’s. Babyletto mini cribs can last until your child is about 2 years old. The Origami is our favorite mini crib that folds up and can roll from room to room.

Standard Crib:

Great for a separate nursery space or a larger shared room. With conversion, some full size cribs can last your child into their teen years. The Hudson crib is a best seller and will look good in any nursery.

Versatility

Many cribs nowadays offer a variety of versatile features. Elements like folding and portability are great additions to a crib that already works for you. The main components to focus on when looking for a crib are convertibility and adjustable mattress levels as they are key to making life simpler as a new parent.

Convertibility

Some cribs are able to last beyond infancy and even into your child's teen years with convertibility. There are a variety of conversions, depending on what crib you have. Here are the main ones:

2-in-1: This conversion usually applies to mini cribs and indicates that a crib that can convert into a twin bed once your baby transitions into childhood. The Babyletto Gelato Mini is a smart alternative to a bassinet, and also turns into a twin bed!

3-in-1: Generally, for full size cribs, this helps transition your baby into toddlerhood, converting into a toddler bed and daybed.

4-in-1: Also, for full size cribs, 4-in-1 conversions allow you to keep the same bed past the toddler stage. These cribs convert into a toddler bed, daybed, and full size bed. The Babyletto Palma crib is a great choice for longevity!

Adjustable Mattress Heights

Cribs with different mattress height levels give you easy access to your baby and help you keep them safe as they grow. Depending on the type of crib you have, the number of mattress levels will vary. Mini cribs and portable cribs tend to have two mattress height options, whereas a full size crib can have up to four. Standard size cribs by Babyletto all have 4 mattress levels!

The highest mattress level on a crib is perfect for infants who haven't started to roll over or sit up. Once your baby transitions into rolling, sitting, and standing, you can easily lower the mattress level to make sure it matches their level of movement.

Other Features

Portability: Some cribs can maneuver around homes using wheels, generally with casters that lock them into place. These tend to be more lightweight and easier to move.

Foldable: While less common, there are cribs that come with the ability to fold. This allows for easy storage and moving it from place to place.

The Babyletto Maki crib is a standard size crib that can be folded and stored away, and includes wheels to easily move through the house!

Storage: Cribs that come with drawers can store additional clothes, toys, or other accessories for your baby. The Babyletto Mercer crib is perfect for space saving as it includes a drawer underneath.

Safety

As a new parent, safety is a top concern, and it can be hard to decipher what makes a product safe for your babe. From standards set by the federal government to third party certifications, here are the main safety features to look out for when picking a crib.

Safety Standards: Every crib must meet a certain level of safety standards set by various organizations, such as ASTM International and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This includes standards for slat/spindle load strength and lead content. All companies will meet these base standards, but it's important to check each company's own safety standards for its products to make it matches your own.

GREENGUARD Gold Certification: Awarded to products with low chemical emissions, this certification verifies that a product is acceptable for use around sensitive individuals, such as children and the elderly. To receive this, products have to be thoroughly tested for over 10,000 chemicals and (marked) as low-emitting. Any crib with a GREENGUARD Gold certificate is sure to keep your home's indoor quality as safe as possible. Read more about this certification here.

Style

Now that you've decided on the practical features of your crib, it's time to think about style! Whether you love the silhouettes of mid-century modern furniture or the clean lines of Scandinavian design, you can find a crib that's perfect for you. Cribs come in all colors, shapes and sizes, and many are also designed to pair with matching changers and dressers.

Finishes: Nowadays, cribs tend to come with a variety of color options. No matter if you're looking for a particular color like blush pink or black or a wood tone like natural or walnut, most cribs will have at least a few color options - and some come in materials like acrylic! The Babyletto Harlow crib comes in two colors and clear lucite slats.

Shape: Most cribs are rectangular in shape, but if you are looking for something more unique, you can also find them in the shape of ovals and circles. But remember to buy the right shaped mattress that will work with these shapes!

We hope this crib guide will help get you started in creating the nursery of your dreams - happy shopping, mamas!